NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Governor Bill Lee signed a new law into effect Tuesday that removes the statute of limitations for child sex abuse in certain circumstances.
In a move supporters said removes protections for child sex abusers, state legislature passed HB 565 through both houses.
Tuesday a number of advocates gathered at the state capitol to watch the ceremonial signing.
Amanda Cormier is a Tennessee native who testified in the child sex abuse case of former Dr. Larry Nassar, a long time specialist for olympic gymnasts.
"I was sexually abused between the ages of 16 and 17 by former Dr. Larry Nassar and was part of that court case," said Cormier.
Nassar was convicted, but Cormier said it's important to protect children from being abused in the future.
"In my case, my abuser abused hundreds of girls. But it took years for someone to be able to get enough attention where something stopped," she said. "In getting rid of a statute of limitations, you're not just protecting us, you're protecting the 100s of people our abusers might of had an impact on."
The new law also adds penalties for people who know child sex abuse is happening but don't report it to the authorities.
